The PC version of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will bring advanced graphical features to the Decima engine, including ray-traced reflections and ambient occlusion effects. These additions aim to deliver more realistic lighting and shadows, particularly on surfaces like water, while also supporting NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS upscaling technologies for improved performance.
Ray tracing in this title will focus on dynamic elements such as water reflections, where the technology can significantly enhance visual accuracy. Ambient occlusion is expected to refine shadows by accounting for indirect lighting, contributing to a more immersive experience. However, the exact impact on system requirements remains unclear, as ray tracing was not included in the initial PC system specifications.
- Ray Tracing: Enhanced reflections and ambient occlusion for realistic lighting effects.
- Upscaling Support: Compatibility with NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS to boost performance on high-end GPUs like the RTX 5070, RTX 5060, and RTX 5090.
- Graphics Settings: Uncapped frame rates, super-ultrawide (32:9) and ultrawide (21:9) monitor support, full mouse and keyboard customization, and spatial sound.
The game will also introduce a new challenge mode called 'to the wilder,' along with additional content and features exclusive to the PC version. These enhancements are designed for players with powerful hardware who want to push visual fidelity beyond the 'Very High' graphics preset already available in the console version.
While the technical details of how ray tracing will affect performance are still under examination, the inclusion of these advanced graphical technologies positions Death Stranding 2: On the Beach as a benchmark for high-fidelity PC gaming experiences. Developers have emphasized that these features cater to users with top-tier GPUs capable of handling demanding rendering tasks.
The PC version is set to launch on March 19th, offering pre-purchase options through Steam and the Epic Games Store. This release marks a significant step forward in delivering next-generation visuals for the Death Stranding series, setting a new standard for immersion and performance in open-world gaming.
